Method of treating septic shock using thymosin β4

ABSTRACT

A method of treating septic shock in a mammal including the administration of a septic shock-treating effective amount of thymosin β 4  (Tβ 4 ) to the mammal. Included is a process directed to obstructing the progression of sepsis cascade by administration of a sepsis cascade progression-obstructing amount of Tβ 4 . Further included is a process directed to preventing septic shock by administration of a septic shock-preventing effective amount of Tβ 4 .

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/132,858, filed Oct. 7, 1993, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a method of treating septic shock in mammals.

DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART

Thymosin β₄ ("Tβ₄ ") is a peptide which has been reported as containing 43 amino acids. Amino acid sequence information on Tβ₄ is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,276, herein incorporated by reference.

Tβ₄ has been found to be present in numerous tissue types in mammals and has also been implicated in a wide variety of cellular and physiological processes including inducing terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activity of bone marrow cells, stimulating secretion of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone, inhibiting migration and enhancing antigen presentation of macrophages, and inducing phenotypic changes in T-cell lines in vitro.

Septic shock is a condition in which infection is widely disseminated in many areas of the body, the infection generally being disseminated through the blood from one tissue to another and causing extensive damage. Septic shock can occur with numerous medical conditions, including (1) peritonitis caused by the spread of infection from the uterus and fallopian tubes; (2) peritonitis resulting from rupture of the gut, sometimes caused by intestinal disease or wounds; (3) generalized infection resulting from spread of a simple infection; (4) generalized gangrenous infection resulting specifically from gas gangrene bacilli; and (5) infection spreading into the blood from the kidney or urinary tract. Septic shock is of critical concern from a clinical viewpoint because, among other reasons, this condition frequently leads to death.

Although septic shock is a somewhat common clinical phenomenon, the mechanisms involved as well as the pathological changes remain poorly understood. For example, despite the treatment of bacterial infection, many patients deteriorate further, which may be due to clinical sequelae of hypotension with low systemic vascular resistance, renal insufficiency, adult respiratory distress syndrome, severe coagulopathy and severe metabolic dysfunctions. Thus, there is an urgent need in the art for effective methods of treating septic shock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method of treating septic shock in mammals includes administering a septic shock-treating effective amount of Tβ₄ to said mammals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terms "Thymosin β₄ " and "Tβ₄ " refer to peptides having the amino acid sequence disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,276, supra.

Mammalian septic shock occurs in association with a series of events in the mammal's body referred to as the "sepsis cascade". The sepsis cascade typically begins with bacterial infection of the mammalian host resulting in release of bacterial toxins, introduction of endotoxin, activation of host-defense systems, i.e., plasma protein systems as well as cellular defense systems including endothelial cells, macrophages, monocytes and neutrophils, with release of proinflammatory mediators including cytokines, lipid metobolites, proteases, toxic oxygen products, nitric oxide and adhesion proteins.

According to one aspect of the present invention, effective amounts of Tβ₄ are administered to a subject to reduce blood free radical levels in the subject, and thereby treat or prevent septic shock in the subject or obstruct progression of sepsis cascade in the subject. Tβ₄ has been found to reduce blood free radical levels almost as much as SOD (super oxide dismutase), an enzyme that eliminates free radicals. When a septic shock-treating or a septic shock-preventing effective amount of Tβ₄ is administered to a mammal, the blood levels of pathological mediators of bacteria-induced lethality are decreased in the mammal.

Tβ₄ has been found to obstruct the sepsis cascade in mammals. During sepsis, peroxidation of lipids in blood is increased (mMol of malonyldialdehyde), but returned to normal or about normal with Tβ₄ administration. Sepsis also reduces circulating blood levels of glutathione. However, administration of Tβ₄ returns circulatory gluthathine levels to normal or about normal.

As noted above, administration of Tβ₄ during sepsis decreases blood hydroperoxide levels and increases blood glutathione levels. Administration of Tβ₄ during sepsis also decreases cerebellar cGMP levels, and decreases the blood levels of arachidonic acid metabolites such as Txβ₂ and 6-keto-PGF₁ α, PAF, and cytokines such as IL-1α and TNF-α.

While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that reducing blood levels of pathological mediators of bacteria-induced lethality in a mammal decreases the amount of infection in the mammal which, in turn, aids in obstructing the sepsis cascade, and in preventing and treating septic shock.

Thus, according to the present invention, methods of treating and preventing septic shock in mammals are provided. The methods of the present invention include administration of septic shock-treating effective amounts, septic shock-preventing effective amounts and sepsis cascade progression-obstructing effective amounts of Tβ₄ to mammals.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, effective amounts of Tβ₄ are administered to subjects to treat or prevent septic shock in the subjects, or obstruct progression of sepsis cascade in the subjects. In these embodiments, the subjects preferably are human.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, compositions containing Tβ₄ may be formulated in a conventional manner for administration by any suitable route. Suitable routes of administration include, but are not limited to, oral, rectal, nasal, topical, vaginal, and parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal). Particularly preferred embodiments utilize oral or parenteral administration, with parenteral administration being a more preferred embodiment. It will be appreciated that the preferred route may vary with the condition, age and species of the recipient.

While not essential, in preferred embodiments, Tβ₄ is administered as part of a pharmaceutical formulation. The formulations of the present invention comprise Tβ₄ together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and optionally with other therapeutic ingredients. The carrier(s) are "acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sublingual), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., tablets and sustained release capsules, and may be prepared by any suitable pharmaceutical methods.

Such methods include, but are not limited to, the step of bringing into association Tβ₄ with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association Tβ₄ with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of Tβ₄ as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or a non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion, etc.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine Tβ₄ in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, surface-active or dispersing agent. Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein.

Formulations suitable for topical administration include lozenges comprising Tβ₄ in a flavored basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising Tβ₄ in an inert basis such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising Tβ₄ to be administered in a suitable liquid carrier.

Formulations suitable for topical administration to the skin may be presented as ointments, creams, gels and pastes comprising Tβ₄ and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, or may utilize a transdermal patch containing the ingredient to be administered.

Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with a suitable base comprising, for example, cocoa butter or a salicylate.

Formulations suitable for nasal administration wherein the carrier is a solid include a coarse powder having a particle size, for example, in the range from about 20 to about 500 microns which is administered in the manner in which snuff is taken, i.e., by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage from a container of the powder held close up to the nose. Suitable formulations wherein the carrier is a liquid, for administration, as for example, a nasal spray or as nasal drops, include aqueous or oily solutions of the active ingredient.

Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing, in addition to Tβ₄, suitable carriers.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may optionally contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed ampules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described.

It should be understood that in addition to the ingredients particularly mentioned above the formulations of this invention may include other suitable agents having regard to the type of formulation in question, for example, those suitable for oral administration may include flavoring agents.

A proposed dose for administration of the compositions in the present invention is a septic shock-treating, septic shock-preventing or sepsis cascade progression-obstructing effective amount of Tβ₄, which can be in a range of from about 0.4 to about 4 of Tβ₄ per kg of body weight of recipient (mg/kg), preferably from about 1 to about 4 mg/kg. A dose can be administered to the patient daily, one or more times per day of administration, e.g., two or three times per day, and doses can be administered one or more days per week, e.g., two, three, four, five, six or seven days per week.

The invention is applicable to native (i.e., naturally occurring) Tβ₄ as well as synthetic Tβ₄ and recombinant Tβ₄ having the amino acid sequence of native Tβ₄, biologically active amino acid sequences substantially similar thereto, or a biologically active abbreviated sequence form thereof, and their biologically active analogs (including muteins) having substituted, deleted, elongated, replaced, or otherwise modified sequences which possess bioactivity substantially similar to that of native Tβ₄.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, Tβ₄ can be administered in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of another substance useful in treating septic shock such as, for example, antibiotics, or antibodies (polyclonal or monoclonal) directed to antigens located on endotoxins. Of course, the acceptable dosage range of the other substance will depend upon its properties (i.e., the acceptable dosage range will depend upon what other substance is being administered).

Tβ₄ and another substance useful in treating septic shock can be administered "in combination" which, defined herein, includes various schemes designed to administer Tβ₄ and the other substance to a subject, whether or not the other substance and Tβ₄ are administered separately or together, such that the desired dosages of Tβ₄ and the other substance are present in the subject at the same time. Any suitable scheme can be used to administer Tβ₄ and another substance useful in treating septic shock "in combination" in accordance with the present invention.

Suitable dosages of either Tβ₄ alone or Tβ₄ in combination with another substance useful in treating septic shock may be administered 1 to 6 times or more per day. The precise dose administered will depend on the age, condition and other factors of the recipient.

The following examples are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be construed in a limiting sense.

EXAMPLE 1

Synthetic Tβ₄ was provided by Alpha 1 Biomedicals, Inc. (Two Democracy Center, 6903 Rockledge Drive, Ste. 1200, Bethesda, Md. 20817). Tβ₄ was prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis.

Swiss-Webster mice 4-6 weeks of age (20-25 g) were housed 6 per cage. The mice were divided into 2 groups: endotoxic mice (endotoxin 60 mg/kg i.p. in acute treatment) and endotoxic mice treated with Tβ₄, 5 minutes and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 hours post administration of the endotoxin. Survival was recorded 2 times a day for 7 days. The results are presented in Table I below. As can be seen, Tβ₄ protected against lethal endotoxin shock and increased the survival rate to as much as 100%.

EXAMPLE 2

Swiss-Webster mice 4-6 weeks of age (20-25 g) were divided into groups as follows.

1. Mice treated with a lethal dose of endotoxin (60 mg/kg).

2. Mice treated with 60 mg/kg endotoxin followed by an injection of 100 μg Tβ₄ (5 minutes post administration of endotoxin).

3. Mice treated with 60 mg/kg endotoxin followed by 2 injections of 100 μg/Tβ₄ (immediately following and 2 hours post administration of endotoxin).

4. Mice treated with 60 mg/kg endotoxin followed by 3 injections of 100 μg Tβ₄ (immediately following, 2 and 4 hours post administration of endotoxin).

The results presented in Tables I and II below indicate that Tβ₄, administered 3 times post administration of endotoxin, increased the survival rate of mice treated with endotoxin to 100%.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                                      Survival of Swiss Webster Mice                                                 Following Lethal Endotoxin                                                     Dose and Tβ.sub.4                                                         (No. mice alive)                                                  Experimental Groups                                                                           0 hrs   24 hrs  48 hrs 72 hrs                                   ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                            7       1       1      1                                        Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          7       4       3      3                                        Tβ.sub.4 100 μg 1x                                                     Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          7       4       4      4                                        Tβ.sub.4 100 μg 2x                                                     Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          7       7       7      7                                        Tβ.sub.4 100 μg 3x                                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         Protective Effect of Tβ.sub.4 on Survival of Mice Treated with            Lethal Doses of Endotoxin                                                                  Number of Mice Alive                                               EXPERIMENTAL  0      24     48   72   7    14                                  GROUPS        hr.    hr.    hr.  hr.  day  day                                 ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                           8      0                                                         Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                         8      8      8    8    8    8                                   Tβ.sub.4 100 μg 3x                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The results presented in Tables III-V below show effects of Tβ₄ respectively on mice cerebellar cGMP levels, blood serum TNF-α levels, and blood serum TNF-α and IL-1α levels.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                         Tβ.sub.4 effects on cGMP cerebellar levels in mice                        treated with lethal doses of endotoxin                                         EXPERIMENTAL   Cerebellar cortex cyclic GMP                                    GROUPS         (pmol per mg/protein)                                           ______________________________________                                         Control        10.1 ± 0.2                                                   Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                            30.7 ± 4.1                                                   i.p.                                                                           Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                            12.1 ± 0.9                                                   i.p. + Tβ.sub.4 0.8 mg/kg i.p.                                            ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                         Serum TNF-α levels in mice treated with                                  lethal doses of endotoxin                                                      EXPERIMENTAL   TNF-α (pg/ml)                                             GROUPS         1 hr       3 hr     5 hr                                        ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                            1098 ± 106                                                                             783 ± 38                                                                             623 ± 51                                 Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          823 ± 79                                                                               535 ± 47                                                                             480 ± 45                                 Tβ.sub.4 100 μg                                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                         Serum TNF-α and IL-1α levels* in mice protected against            endotoxin-induced lethality by pretreatment with SOD and Tβ.sub.4         Pretreatment  TNF-α (pg/ml)                                                                         IL-1α (pg/ml)                                 ______________________________________                                         None          4462 ± 123                                                                               1137 ± 123                                       SOD (3.3 × 10.sup.4 μ/kg)                                                           63 ± 5.1    53 ± 3.1                                       Tβ.sub.4 100 μg/mice                                                                 321 ± 26.2                                                                               298 ± 20                                         ______________________________________                                          *Mice were pretreated with SOD (super oxide dismatase), 30 minutes before      endotoxin administration XX blood for determined of TNFα and             IL1α levels was collected 1 hr after endotoxin administration.     

EXAMPLE 3

Using the same materials and methods as in examples 1 and 2, the time and dose-dependency of the protective effect of Tβ₄ on endotoxin lethality were studied. The results are presented in Tables II and III below.

As can be seen in Tables VI and VII, Tβ₄ had a protective effect on endotoxin toxicity when given immediately following, 2 and 4 hours after endotoxin treatment. The most effective protective dose was 100 μg Tβ₄ administered three times. Also, Tβ₄ partially increased the survival of mice treated with endotoxin when it was administered three times in doses of 50 μg and 20 μg Tβ₄. 10 μg Tβ₄ has also sometimes shown positive activity.

                  TABLE VI                                                         ______________________________________                                                      Survival of Swiss Webster Mice                                                 Following Lethal Endotoxin                                                     Dose and Tβ.sub.4                                                         (No. mice alive)                                                                                      72  96  120                                Experimental Groups                                                                           0 hrs  24 hrs  48 hrs                                                                               hrs hrs hrs                                ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                            8      4       4     4   4   4                                  Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          8      8       8     8   8   8                                  Tβ.sub.4 100 μg, 3x;                                                   Tβ.sub.4 was administered                                                 immediately                                                                    following, 2 and 4                                                             hrs. after endotoxin.                                                          Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          8      7       4     4   4   4                                  Tβ.sub.4 100 μg, 3x;                                                   Tβ.sub.4 was administered                                                 2, 4 and 6 hrs.                                                                after endotoxin.                                                               Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          8      8       6     6   6   6                                  Tβ.sub.4 10 μg, 3x;                                                    Tβ.sub.4 was administered                                                 immediately                                                                    following, 2 and 4                                                             hrs. after endotoxin.                                                          ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE VII                                                        ______________________________________                                                      Survival of Swiss Webster Mice                                                 Following Lethal Endotoxin                                                     Dose and Tβ.sub.4                                                         (No. mice alive)                                                                 0     24     48  72   96  5    6                                Experimental Groups                                                                           hrs   hrs    hrs hrs  hrs days days                             ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                            10    4      3   3    3   3    3                                Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                          10    9      7   7    7   7    7                                Tβ.sub.4 50 μg, 3x;                                                    i.p. Tβ.sub.4 was administered                                            immediately                                                                    following, 2 and 4                                                             hrs. after endotoxin.                                                          Endotoxin 60 mg/kg 10 +                                                                       10    5      4   4    3   3    3                                Tβ.sub.4 20 μg, 3x; i.p.                                               Tβ.sub.4 was administered                                                 immediately following 2                                                        and 4 hrs. after endotoxin.                                                    Endotoxin 60 mg/kg 10 +                                                                       10    3      3   3    3   3    3                                Tβ.sub.4 10 μg, 3x; i.p.                                               Tβ.sub.4 was administered                                                 immediately                                                                    following, 2 and 4                                                             hrs. after endotoxin.                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

Using the same methods and materials as in examples 1-3, the effect which Tβ₄ has on blood levels of IL-1α, TNF-α, PAG, Txβ₂ and 6-keto-PGF₁ α, which are pathological mediators of endotoxin induced lethality, was studied. The results are presented in Tables IV-IX below.

As can be seen in Tables VIII-XIII, Tβ₄ decreased IL-1α, TNF-α serum levels as well as PAF, T×β₂ and 6-keto-PGF₁ α plasma levels after administration of a lethal dose of endotoxin.

                  TABLE VIII                                                       ______________________________________                                                         IL-1α pg/ml (serum levels)                               EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                              1 hr       3 hr                                              ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60 mg/kg                                                                                  492 ± 45, 2                                                                            550 ± 37, 1                                 Endotoxin 60 mg/kg +                                                                             147, 5 ± 15, 1                                                                         207, 5 ± 19, 3                                 Tβ.sub.4 100 μg administered                                           simultaneously                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE IX                                                         ______________________________________                                         EXPERIMENTAL PAF (pg/ml) (plasma levels)                                       GROUPS       0.5 hr. 1 hr      2 hr   3 hr                                     ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60 78 ± 6                                                                              279 ± 17                                                                              127 ± 13                                                                           55 ± 3                                mg/kg                                                                          Endotoxin 60 63 ± 7                                                                              161 ± 17                                                                              66 ± 5                                                                             46 ± 5                                mg/kg + Tβ.sub.4                                                          100 μg admin-                                                               istered                                                                        simultaneously                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE X                                                          ______________________________________                                         EXPERI-                                                                        MENTAL    T × β.sub.2 (pg/ml) (plasma levels)                       GROUPS    0.5 hr.   1 hr      2 hr    3 hr                                     ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60                                                                             1442 ± 103                                                                            2937 ± 258                                                                            912 ± 105                                                                           695 ± 65                              mg/kg                                                                          Endotoxin 60                                                                              209 ± 9,5                                                                            607 ± 53                                                                              196 ± 18                                                                            112 ± 9                               mg/kg +                                                                        Tβ.sub.4                                                                  100 μg                                                                      administered                                                                   simultan-                                                                      eously                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XI                                                         ______________________________________                                         EXPERIMENTAL                                                                               6-keto-PGF1α (pg/ml) (plasma levels)                         GROUPS      0.5 hr.  1 hr      2 hr   3 hr                                     ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60                                                                               341 ± 31                                                                             1141 ± 112                                                                            897 ± 75                                                                           811 ± 7                               mg/kg                                                                          Endotoxin 60                                                                               141 ± 9                                                                              261 ± 23                                                                              147 ± 19                                                                           121 ± 13                              mg/kg + Tβ.sub.4                                                          100 μg                                                                      administered                                                                   simultan-                                                                      eously                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XII                                                        ______________________________________                                                          PAF (pg/ml) (serum levels)                                    EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                             1 hr      3 hr    5 hr                                        ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60     938       662     567                                         mg/kg                                                                          Endotoxin 60     807       591     496                                         mg/kg + Tβ.sub.4                                                          100 μg                                                                      administered                                                                   simultaneously                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XIII                                                       ______________________________________                                                          TNF-α (pg/ml) (serum level)                             EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                             1 hr     3 hr     5 hr                                        ______________________________________                                         Endotoxin 60     938      662      567                                         mg/kg                                                                          Endotoxin 60     807      591      496                                         mg/kg + Tβ.sub.4                                                          100 μg admin-                                                               istered immediately                                                            after endotoxin                                                                ______________________________________                                    

While the invention has been described and illustrated with details and references to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, changes, omissions, and substitutes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

EXAMPLE 5

Using a septic shock model in rats (Sprague-Dawley, male, 200-225 g each), the effect of thymosin β₄ alone and together with antibiotics was studied. Peritonitis was induced in rats in the following way. A 1-cm incision was made into the peritoneal which exposed the cecum. A tight ligature was placed around the cecum with 4-0 suture distal to the insertion of the small bowel, forming an area of devitalized tissue while maintaining bowel continuity. A puncture wound was made with 16-gauge needle into the anti-mesenteric surface of the cecum and a small amount of fecal contents was expressed through the wound. The cecum was replaced into the peritoneal cavity, and the anterior peritoneal wall and skin were closed with surgical staples. Each animal was given a bolus of normal saline (15 ml/kg) for hydration and allowed to recover overnight.

The results presented in Table XIV show Tβ₄ increased the survival of rats.

                  TABLE XIV                                                        ______________________________________                                         Survival of Sprague-Dawley rats following septic                               shock, antibiotics, and thymosin β.sub.4                                  EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                             0 hr   24 hr    48 hr                                                                               72 hr                                    ______________________________________                                         Rats with Septic Shock +                                                                        10     1        1    0                                        antibiotic*                                                                    Rats with Septic Shock +                                                                        10     4        3    3                                        antibiotic* + thymosin                                                         β.sub.4 1 mg/rat × 3**                                              ______________________________________                                          *gentamicin sulfate, 1 mg/rat                                                  **At 0 hr, 2 hr, and 4 hr post induction of peritonitis                  

The results presented in Tables XV to XVIII below show effects of Tβ₄ respectively on rat cytokine levels, blood malonyldialdehyde levels, glutathione levels and arachidonic acid metabolic levels.

                  TABLE XV                                                         ______________________________________                                         The effect of Tβ.sub.4 on Cytokine Levels                                 in a septic shock model in rat                                                 EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                             TNFα (pg/ml)                                                                         IL.sub.1 α (pg/ml)                          ______________________________________                                         Control          undetectable                                                                               undetectable                                      Rats with Septic 2658 ± 197                                                                              1387 ± 123                                     Shock                                                                          Rats with Septic 1259 ± 138                                                                              853 ± 62                                       Shock + Tβ.sub.4  1 mg/                                                   rat × 3 as above                                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XVI                                                        ______________________________________                                         The effect of Tβ.sub.4 on lipid peroxidation in                           a septic shock model in rat                                                    EXPERIMENTAL   Blood Levels of malonyldialdehyde                               GROUPS         (nNol MDA)                                                      ______________________________________                                         Control        15.3 ± 1.3                                                                              18.6 ± 1.1                                       Rats with Septic                                                                              49.1 ± 3.5                                                                              46.3 ± 3.8                                       Shock                                                                          Rats with Septic +                                                                            19.6 ± 1.7                                                                              16.8 ± 1.5                                       Tβ.sub.4 1 mg/rat × 3                                               as above                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XVII                                                       ______________________________________                                         The effect of Tβ.sub.4 on glutathione levels                              in a rat septic shock model                                                    EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                              RBC GSH (μmoles/ml cells)                                 ______________________________________                                         Control           1.38 ± 0.1                                                                            1.46 ± 0.13                                     Rats with Septic Shock                                                                           0.43 ± 0.05                                                                           0.29 ± 0.04                                     Rats with Septic Shock +                                                                         1.45 ± 0.11                                                                           1.39 ± 0.12                                     Tβ.sub.1 mg/rat × 3                                                 as above                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XVIII                                                      ______________________________________                                         The effect of Tβ.sub.4 on arachidonic acid metabolite                     levels in a septic shock model in rat                                          EXPERIMENTAL      6-keto-PGF.sub.1                                                                          T × β.sub.2                            GROUPS            (pg/ml)    (pg/ml)                                           ______________________________________                                         Control           58 ± 3.5                                                                                 89 ± 7.6                                     Rats with Septic Shock                                                                           1828 ± 145.3                                                                           3622 ± 295                                     Rats with Septic Shock +                                                                         829 ± 59                                                                               1627 ± 123                                     Tβ.sub.4 1 mg/rat × 3                                               as above                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The results presented in Tables XIX and XX below demonstrate that Tβ₄ increases the survival rate of rats with septic shock.

                  TABLE XIX                                                        ______________________________________                                                         Number of Rats Alive                                           EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                              0 h   24 h     48 h 72 h                                     ______________________________________                                         Rats with Septic Shock                                                                           10    2        2    0                                        Rats with Septic Shock +                                                                         10    3        3    3                                        Tβ.sub.4 1 mg/rat × 3                                               as above                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XX                                                         ______________________________________                                                         Number of Rats Alive                                           EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS                                                                              0 h   24 h     48 h 72 h                                     ______________________________________                                         Rats with Septic Shock                                                                           10    1        0    0                                        Rats with Septic Shock +                                                                         10    4        3    3                                        Tβ.sub.4 1 mg/rat × 3                                               as above                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

While the invention has been described and illustrated with details and references to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, changes, omissions, and substitutes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of obstructing progression of a sepsis cascade in a mammal in which a sepsis cascade is occurring, comprising administering to said mammal a sepsis cascade progression-obstructing amount of thymosin β₄ (Tβ₄).
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said mammal is human.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered at a dosage from about 0.4 to about 4 mg per kg of body weight of said human.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered at a dosage from about 1 to about 4 mg per kg of body weight of said human.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered parenterally.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered intravenously.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the Tβ₄ is synthetic Tβ₄.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said amount of Tβ₄ is sufficient to reverse in said mammal at least one member selected from the group consisting of increased cerebellar cGMP levels, increased blood malonyldialdehyde levels, decreased blood glutathione levels, increased blood PAF levels, increased blood T×β₂ levels, increased blood 6-keto-PGF₁ α levels, increased blood IL-1α levels and increased blood TNFα levels.
 9. A method of preventing septic shock from occurring in a mammal following endotoxin introduction in said mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a septic shock-preventing effective amount of Tβ₄, so as to prevent septic shock in said mammal.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein septic shock is prevented in said mammal for at least 120 hours after administration of said Tβ₄.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein septic shock is prevented in said mammal for at least 14 days after administration of said Tβ₄.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein said mammal is human.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered at a dosage from about 0.4 to about 4 mg per kg of body weight of said human.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered at a dosage from about 1 to about 4 mg per kg of body weight of said human.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered parenterally.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the Tβ₄ is administered intravenously.
 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the Tβ₄ is synthetic Tβ₄.
 18. The method of claim 9, wherein said amount of Tβ₄ is sufficient to reverse in said mammal at least one member selected from the group consisting of increased cerebellar cGMP levels, increased blood malonyldialdehyde levels, decreased blood glutathione levels, increased blood PAF levels, increased blood T×β₂ levels, increased blood 6-keto-PGF₁ α levels, increased blood IL-1α levels and increased blood TNFα levels.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said administration of Tβ₄ reduces blood IL-1α or TNFoc levels in said mammal.
 20. The method of claim 9, wherein said administration of Tβ₄ reduces blood IL-1α or TNFoc levels in said mammal. 